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How to use Blackmagic Disk Speed Test on a PC

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Working with video often requires big storage and fast speeds. Here, we use SSDs to either capture the video directly (like with the BMPCC) or to create an on-location backup (like with everything we do). When we need to evaluate the performance of an SSD, we turn to benchmark software.

There are many SSD benchmarking tools out there. CrystalDiskMark is probably ranked at the top, but there are others too. For video, though, one of the best benchmarking software is the Blackmagic Disk Speed Test. Sadly it is only available for Mac. I use a PC.  So in this tutorial, I will show you how to install and enable the Blackmagic Disk Speed Test on a PC.

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How to photograph artwork like a pro with just one light

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Scanning artwork certainly has its advantages, but it also has its limitations. Brushstrokes can benefit from a more unidirectional light source. Photographing in a controlled environment allows for fine-tuning of texture and shadows.

Until the past few years, photographing artwork required either a larger sensor or stitching together multiple shots to get printable resolution. With the advent of pixel shift technology in full frame cameras, medium and some larger artwork can be reproduced allowing for better workflow and hence, better value.

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Everything you need to know for filming and photographing soap bubbles

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There are certain subjects in the macro world, which are so fascinating and absorbing that almost every macro photographer will point a camera at them at some point. And no matter how many photos you take or see of these subjects, their charm does not seem to wear off. Just think of snowflakes, the compound eyes of insects or the refractive nature of water droplets. Or, of course, the psychedelic colour plays of soap film: [Read More…]

Ilford’s Darkroom Guide teaches you all you need to know about developing your own film

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Getting started with something completely new can be overwhelming, and film developing is no exception. Film and paper manufacturer Ilford has published a series of videos that will help you to get started. From loading film to producing your very first print, this series will teach you all the basic darkroom techniques that you need to know.

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These are the best and the worst ways to use a single-light setup

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Although a single light doesn’t seem like much, there’s a lot you can do with it. From some more traditional setups to unusual horror setups, a single light can really be extremely versatile. In this video, Manny Ortiz will show you the best, but also the worst ways for using a single-light setup in only three minutes.

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This video explains the difference between flow and opacity in Photoshop

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When using the Brush tool in Photoshop, it may seem that adjusting flow and opacity sliders will do exactly the same thing. But of course, they wouldn’t both be there if they were exactly the same, right? In this tutorial, Matt Kloskowski explains the difference between the two and shows you how they work on his own example.

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Watch: All you wanted to know about color theory and color grading

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Understanding color is one of the crucial things to understand, no matter if you’re a photographer or a video creator. Understanding color theory and psychology will help you add more meaning and impact to your work. So, if you’d like to master the use of color, Joanna Kustra has an amazing video for you.

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This is my favourite $1 lighting modifier

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I’ve always been drawn to interesting looking light. The simple, soft and flat light of softboxes and other standard modifiers rarely hold my attention and I’ve often felt like that softbox lighting doesn’t exist outside of the studio. It’s always looked a little too clinical for me.

We’re shown interesting light all of the time when we’re observing daylight. Dappled light as it falls through leaves, dancing sparkles of light on water, rays of light through buildings and other structures, but we rarely try and bring that interesting looking light into the studio. In fact, many of us chase and covet this idea of ‘perfect’ light from a generic modifier and although there is certainly a time and a place for that, today I’d like to share a lighting technique that is a little more visually engaging.

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How to make just a single light look like many for photos and video

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For some of us, especially when we’re just starting out, we’re limited on gear. Maybe we can only afford a single light or perhaps we can afford more, but we want to experiment with just one before laying down a huge amount of cash. Either way, having just a single light for our work is not uncommon. It is possible to make one light look like many though.

In this video, filmmaker Brandon Li shows us a technique for multiplying a single light using multiple takes and compositing. It’s a technique that we’ve seen used a lot in photography, particularly product photography, but not that often with video – especially when you’ve got a moving camera.

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Here’s how to shoot a four hour video in under a minute

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Normally, this wouldn’t really make it past my first internal filter. It’s a silly idea and a silly video, but given who’s actually made it, I found it pretty funny. You see, David F. Sandberg, otherwise known as Ponysmasher, is the director of the rather hilarious Shazam. Yes, that Shazam. A few videos ago, David mentioned that as he’s not a “professional YouTuber” he doesn’t need to care about analytics and subscribers and that he’ll post what he wants when he wants.

He joked about a video flipping off the viewer for four hours. The problem with making threats like that on YouTube, though is that you often have to follow through. So, he did. And he made a behind the scenes showing how he shot the whole thing in just 53 seconds. Because who’s really going to stand there in front of a camera flipping it off for four hours?

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